This story was changed to reflect that the Transform Rockford presentation took place at Rockford University, not Rockford College.

ROCKFORD — Brian Wagner is a Rock Valley College professor. He and his wife, Tricia, are DeKalb residents who are considering putting down roots in the Forest City.

He is intrigued by the fact that Rockford-area residents are uniting and taking an active role in what the city will have to offer 10 years from now.

“I’m encouraged,” the 39-year-old says.

Wagner was one of about 100 people to take in the Transform Rockford presentation Tuesday night at Rockford University.

The long-term planning initiative is aimed at dramatically improving the social and economic condition of the region by 2025.

Featured speaker Norm Walzer, a senior research scholar in the Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University, gave the grass-roots movement’s organizers and participating residents two thumbs up.

Walzer studies local economics development practices and successful community-change approaches.

“From what I can see, I think they are starting out with what seems to work elsewhere,” he said of the numerous community gatherings in recent months at which residents spoke of shared values such as education, reduced crime and more employment opportunities and shared their ideas or vision for the region.

“This community will be prepared for the next phase,” which Walzer described as crafting a framework and implementation of a vision.

To carry out that vision, Walzer said, it is important that young adults be included in the process and groomed into leadership roles, and residents have to identify the region’s resources and assets, such as colleges and hospitals.

Higher education will play a major role filling a skill gap identified by manufacturers, particularly in the region’s burgeoning aerospace industry.

Walzer also told the audience to keep the momentum and enthusiasm by celebrating successes along the way.

Transform Rockford Executive Director Mike Schablaske also challenged those “who are young at heart or young on their driver’s license” to get involved.